Arrest of Panchagarh UP Chairman
50 hurt as protesters, police lock in clash
At least 50 people, including 10 policemen, were injured in a fierce clash between law enforcers and local people in Tentulia upazila of Panchagarh Wednesday night.
Earlier, vehicular movement was suspended on the Panchagarh-Tentulia highway for over eight and a half hours as hundreds of people blocked the road at Buraburi point by burning tyres, putting logs and stones.
Witnesses said villagers put up road barricade around 4:30pm Wednesday demanding release of Buraburi union parishad chairman Kamruzzaman Kamu.
The situation disrupted traffic for about 9 hours and created a huge tailback on both sides of the highway.
The clash erupted when police charged batons on the locals at about 10:00pm to disperse them and clear the highway.
Police fired teargas shells and rubber bullets at the rowdy villagers, who equipped with sticks, brickbats and stones, clashed with them.
At least 50 people, including 10 policemen, were injured during the clash.
Gulla Shing, additional district magistrate, and MA Halim, assistant superintendent of police, rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control at about 1:00am Thursday by assuring the protesters of taking necessary steps to free the UP chairman on bail.
Six of the injured were admitted to Panchagarh Sadar Hospital while others took first aid at Tentulia health complex and local clinics.
Police picked up one Abdul Goni, 25, from the spot but he was later released on request of the villagers.
Shaharier Rahman, superintendent of police, said the law enforcers went into action after the demonstrators attacked them. At least 10 policemen were injured during the clash, the SP said.
The protesters said a section of land grabbers filed a false case against the chairman and 4 others for protesting their illegal activities in the area.
A Panchagarh court sent chairman Kamruzzaman alias Kamu and his two brothers to jail in a robbery case after they surrendered before it on Sunday.
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